Trumpeter swans are one of the largest waterfowl species in North America. Their diet consists primarily of aquatic vegetation and invertebrates. In this article, we will take a closer look at the feeding habits and dietary preferences of trumpeter swans. What do trumpeter swans eat in the wild? Trumpeter swans are almost entirely herbivorous. The bulk of their diet consists of aquatic plants and tubers. Their long necks allow them to reach food up to 1 meter deep in the water. Some of the common aquatic plants consumed by trumpeter swans include: Pondweeds Water lilies Arrowheads Wild rice Bulrushes Cattails…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The curved bill thrasher is a medium-sized songbird found in the southeastern United States. With its long curved bill and bright yellow eyes, the thrasher is a distinctive backyard bird. Thrashers got their name from their behavior of thrashing the leaf litter on the ground in search of insects and other small prey. While thrashers can be elusive, you can attract them to your yard by providing suitable habitat, food sources, and nesting spots. Read on for tips on how to bring these birds into view! About the Curved Bill Thrasher The curved bill thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) is a passerine…
Many people enjoy feeding birds in their backyard. It provides entertainment and a connection with nature. However, there are some important factors to consider when deciding whether or not to put out bird feeders. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons, best practices, types of food, and other considerations around backyard bird feeding. Quick Answers – Feeding birds can benefit certain species, especially in winter when food is scarce. However, overfeeding can also cause harm if not done properly. – Bird feeders must be kept clean and free of mildew and parasites. Diseases can spread between birds at…
Putting copper pennies in a bird bath serves several important purposes for backyard birders trying to attract more feathered friends to their space. The key reasons include deterring algae growth, repelling mosquitoes, and supplementing minerals for birds. Deterring Algae One of the primary reasons birding experts recommend putting copper pennies in a bird bath is to deter the growth of algae. Algae can quickly take over and create a green, slippery mess in bird baths that not only looks unsightly but can also make the bathing area unsafe and unappealing for visiting birds. Copper has natural algaecidal properties, meaning it…
Chicken hawks, also known as Cooper’s hawks, are medium-sized hawks that are native to North America. They are adept hunters and their diet consists mainly of small birds and mammals. Chicken hawks are a common backyard bird across much of the United States and Canada. Their name comes from the fact that they will sometimes prey on domestic poultry. Chicken hawks are stocky, round-headed hawks that have a size range of 14 to 20 inches (35-51 cm) in length and weigh around 1 pound on average. Their wingspan ranges from 24 to 35 inches (61-89 cm). Males and females have…
Purple Martins are a type of swallow that migrate long distances between their summer breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds in South America. Many Purple Martins exhibit what is known as “site fidelity” – they return to the same breeding colony year after year. However, whether individual Purple Martins come back to the exact same cavity or nest box is less clear. Purple Martin migration Purple Martins spend their winters primarily in Brazil, with some also going to Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina. They start their northward migration in January and February and fly north through…
Quick Answer Turkey vultures are not typically aggressive birds. They are scavengers that primarily feed on carrion and do not hunt live prey. Turkey vultures tend to avoid direct contact with humans and other animals. However, they will defend themselves and their nests aggressively if threatened. Overall, turkey vultures pose little threat and are generally not considered aggressive unless provoked. Turkey Vulture Behavior Turkey vultures are widespread scavengers found throughout much of North and South America. Here are some key facts about their typical behavior: Diet – Turkey vultures feed almost exclusively on carrion, or dead and decaying animals. This…
Barred Rock chickens are a popular dual-purpose chicken breed that is known for laying plenty of large brown eggs. However, there are some variations of Barred Rocks that do lay white eggs. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Barred Rock egg color and the factors that determine whether a Barred Rock will lay brown or white eggs. Typical Barred Rock Egg Color The typical Barred Rock chicken lays large brown eggs. This is because most Barred Rock chickens carry the gene for brown egg color. The brown egg gene is dominant, so birds that carry one copy…
Hamlet TikTok is the nickname given to a pet cockatiel that has become famous on the social media app TikTok for interacting with his owner through funny dubbed voiceovers. Cockatiels are a type of parrot native to Australia that are popular as pets due to their relatively small size, expressive crest feathers, and ability to mimic speech. Based on his appearance and behaviors shown in videos, Hamlet TikTok can be identified as a normal grey or “wildtype” cockatiel. Identifying Features of Cockatiels Cockatiels are recognizable by several standard features: Small parrot averaging 12-13 inches long from head to tail Slender…
Setting an empty bird cage in Kingdom Come can be a bit tricky if you don’t know where to find one. Bird cages are valuable items that can be used for crafting or sold for a good price to merchants. There are a few locations in the game world where empty bird cages can be found, but they are not always guaranteed spawns. This guide will go over all the possible spawn points and methods for getting an empty bird cage in Kingdom Come Deliverance. Checking Merchant Inventories One of the easiest ways to get an empty bird cage is…